A QUIRKY micro pub in Bournemouth has won two regional awards after it was voted Cider Pub of the Year 2017 and also Beer Drinkers’ Pub of the Year 2017.

The Firkin Shed in Springbourne, is run by ex-painter and decorator, Paul Gray and his wife, Lisa. Between them they converted the former Blockbuster video shop into a small pub that resembles a shed.

The Firkin Shed, attracts a “mixed bag of people”, and anyone can feel at home there. World music, Bluegrass, Blues and Jazz music is typically played here, and the volume is set at a conversational level. The pub is described as having “a friendly, festival vibe with old school, ale house rules”. There is a strict no mobile phone policy at the bar, though taking photos is encouraged.

“Using your phone while at the bar is just rude, and I don’t allow it,” said Paul. A sign in the pub reads, “My shed, my firkin rules!”

The Firkin was Bournemouth’s first micro brewery and has won a total of five awards since it first opened in 2015.

The Cider Pub of the Year award is voted for by local CAMRA members while the Beer Drinkers’ Pub of the Year is a brand new award for being the top scoring pub as a result of members inputting beer scores on the website WhatPub.com.

East Dorset CAMRA chairman, Nigel Jones who presented the awards, said the pub is currently number one on their list of the top 28 pubs.

“This list is particularly important as it is these pubs that will go into the Good Beer Guide, which is why it is so important to input beer scores,” he added.

National chairman of CAMRA, Colin Valentine, added that it was his favourite pub during his recent visit to Bournemouth.

Paul serves a wide range of real ales to suit every taste, direct from the cask.

He said: “It’s nice to receive these awards. I’m passionate about real ale and cider and keeping good examples of it, and the staff have all got the same passion. I think that if I wouldn’t drink it, I wouldn’t expect anyone else to. It’s great to get recognition for what you do.”